Today, Reddit announced updates to its platform, including a TikTok-like feature that separates text and video content into separate feeds. Two split-view feeds called “Read” and “Watch” allow users to switch from reading text-based posts to videos depending on their mood.
The new feeds are an attempt to simplify the discovery experience for Reddit users and allow them to choose which feeds they actually want to see (or read).
Reddit Chief Product Officer Pali Bhat said: official statement.
According to The Verge, both the “read” and “watch” feeds include posts and recommendations that users have subscribed to.
Image credit: reddit
In today’s official blog post, Reddit wrote that it will also start updating its video player to make it easier for users to “converse while watching.” The company launched its native video platform in 2017.
Other updates coming soon to Reddit include a reorganized interface to reduce clutter, chat upgrades, storefront improvements, and more. The latest feature to launch is a new search feature that allows users to search for comments within posts on desktop, iOS and Android devices.
Over the past few years, Reddit has incorporated video into its platform in various ways to compete with TikTok. In 2020, the company acquired Dubsmash, his TikTok-like video platform for short stories, and integrated video creation tools into Reddit. In August 2021, Reddit published his TikTok-style video feed on his iOS app.
The company confirmed last year that it was exploring the idea of adding user-generated video content to its online discussion forums, as well as the ability for users to react to other videos.
Many companies, including Amazon, SoundCloud, and Spotify, are videoing their apps and have been observed testing vertical video feeds. Instagram and YouTube have also launched TikTok-style features “Reels” and “Shorts” respectively. Snapchat launched a ‘Spotlight’ feature in 2020.
